A CONGESTED road in Blairgowrie could be given a breath of fresh air as councillors today (Wednesday) consider approving the installation of a loading bay for delivery lorries.

A two year struggle by business owners on Leslie Street for a solution to the regular blocking of one of the town’s main thoroughfares appears to have been found.

At today’s meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s (PKC) enterprise and infrastructure committee councillors have been urged to give the green light for a loading bay to be created on the east side of the street.

Several large stores front onto the street which require large delivery lorries to service them.

Due to motorists parking on the existing waiting restrictions, delivery vehicles are forced to park on the opposite side of the road, which then causes passing traffic to clog up behind.

In the past, the police have been called to alleviate the congestion which has resulted in delivery drivers being forced to cancel deliveries.

Although most business owners agreed a loading bay was vital, no agreement could be found on where to locate it during early PKC consultations with nearby business owners in January 2010.

A further consulation in October 2011 reached agreement that the most suitable location for the bay would be on the east side.

Describing the plan as a “real improvement”, an employee of Leslie Street business Gillespie Inverarity and Co, Paul Mollison, added: “This can only be a good thing.

“A dedicated section for loading will help solve the problem.”

Top cop for Blairgowrie, Inspector Wayne Morrison said: “Any measure which can alleviate congestion on a well used road can only be a good thing.

“If it means business owners can conduct their operations efficiently without the hassle of having failed deliveries, it can only be a positive development.”